They say you’ll know you’re a plunger if after your first plunge, you emerge red skinned, goose bumped with teeth chattering, and immediately want to do it again. Hi. I’m Anne. And I’m a Cold Plunger.
After hearing so much buzz about cold plunging, reading Katherine May in How to Winter, watching the Bad Sisters dip into The Forty Foot in Ireland, and of course, all the new years day’s polar bear plunges, I decided I wanted to give it a spin. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE! I don’t mind being cold as much as I do being hot, but I still never thought I would willingly channel the football players submerging themselves in tubs full of ice cubes. In fact, I would literally shiver every time I saw them.
And yet. And yet.
Well, I still don’t want to buy a stainless steel tub and 100lb bags of ice, though. (Might be a little tough on the road in an Airstream, too.) For me, it’s all about the nature surrounding me when I plunge. Concentrating just on my breathing and focusing on the stunning surroundings, I tune in and zone out. My body feels everything and nothing at the same time. A moment of pure zen.
From high alpine lakes to and a few hot springs in between, I’ve cold plunged in Colorado at 10,000 feet at O’haver Lake, in the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, swam in Bottomless Lakes in New Mexico and soaked in cold plunge “tubs” at Iron Mountain Hot Springs. Temps ranged from below 50 degrees to 55 degree Fahrenheit .
Last month we spent an afternoon at Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe for my birthday and instead of joining the communal pool, we chose one of their private pools, which is not really expensive at all. Highly recommend going that way.
Open to the great blue sky and surrounded by rocks and forest, Shin Kobuta, contained a large hot tub, small cold plunge, and a “party” sauna. Having access to all there, I was able to do a hot/cold circuit for the first time. I would have thought that by the 3rd cold plunge, it’d be easier, but it was actually harder. My body knew what to expect and was silently telling me NOT. To. Do. It.
But since I’m a Taurus, I did not listen.
A few tips to help you get started that have worked for me.**
- Start focusing on and slowing down your breathing.
- Enter the water gradually, starting with warmer water if possible.
- You can keep your hands out of the water if you want since your extremities feel the cold much more accurately.
- Keep your duration short, likely only a few minutes and gradually work your way up to more time over several sessions.
- Pay attention to your body. If you’re in distress or pain, exit the water and wrap up in a towel and warm clothes.
- Avoid jumping in a hot shower immediately and let your body temperature slowly return to normal.
Alternating cold plunging and hot sauna/hot tub is praised for its potential to reduce inflammation, boost mood, improve circulation, and enhance recovery after physical exertion. The science behind the practice is still ongoing and a bit sparse, but early evidence suggests that cold plunging in particular can offer a range of physical and mental benefits.
I have yet to experience the “runners high” and “buzz/clarity” that some say they feel the rest of the days, but it’s definitely a high of knowing I pushed through such a physical challenge and connected with the present moment. Like Katherine May though, I find it helps me find resilience and meaning in challenging periods AND when I submerge my head briefly, I’ve found it can help with my headaches.
So the next time you have the opportunity**, give it a try and let me know what you think. I’d love a cold plunging buddy! Just don’t ask me take a cold shower. Brrrr.
**Obviously I’m no doctor and this is definitely not medical advice, so please check with your doctor before attempting to freeze your butt off. Especially if you have high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues, not to mention the hypothermia risk.
